How Could Anyone Forgive That?

Posted on
September 19, 2012
by
Larry Lomax

I recently interviewed singer-songwriter Matthew West, and we conversed about his new release coming out next Tuesday “Into the Light.” You may have heard the first single on PRAISE 106.5 titled “Forgiveness.” Matthew shared the song was based on a story sent to him by a mother of four named Rene. She lost her daughter Megan in a car accident; a victim of a 24 year old drunk driver named Eric.

Rene spent years after that traveling around to schools and speaking of the dangers of drunk driving. But she realized something was missing in her presentations. God put it on her heart she needed to forgive the young man who took the life of her daughter.

So, Rene did the impossible.

She reached out to Eric in prison, and his life was changed because she forgave him. He said “I can’t even forgive myself, and she forgave me.” Eric found his eternal salvation as a result of this act. One by one, Rene’s family members followed her lead and also met with Eric and offered forgiveness.

But there’s more. Rene petitioned the court on behalf of Eric for an early release from prison, and the judge cut his sentence in half. He is due to be released in November.

I know we all suffer things in this life. Many things we bring upon ourselves, but we also endure pain at the hands of others. We may hurt and grieve over the loss we have, but with God’s help we can come through it and maybe even do the impossible. With God, all things are possible.